Coples Community Weekend starts today

Only a one-day event a year ago, the second annual Quinton Coples Community Weekend — now a three-day event held at sites all over the city — begins at 9 a.m. today at Teachers Memorial Gymnasium.

Coples, a former Kinston High School and UNC football star who is preparing to start his second season with the New York Jets, said he decided to expand the event to three days this year in an effort to reach more young people and to show them a positive influence they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

“I’m hoping this (weekend) shows kids that dreams can come true,” Coples said. “I want to be that symbol for little kids in Kinston.”

A 5-on-5 basketball tournament tips off the three days of events at the venerable Teachers gym at 500 Marcella Drive. Coples, who was also a basketball standout at Kinston High School, said he is looking forward to the tourney, which is scheduled to last until 3 p.m. today. The 5-on-5 championship will be decided at 6 p.m. Saturday at Kinston High School.

“The basketball tournaments are for people who want to relax and chill,” Coples said. “I think there’s going to be a great turnout; I hope a lot of people come out and see each other for the first time in a long time.”

Today’s Coples Community Weekend events will wrap up with a professional networking event at the Community Council for the Arts, 400 N. Queen St. The ticketed event includes silent auctions for a signed Coples’ N.Y. Jets jersey, two tickets to the N.Y. Jets/Carolina Panthers game on Dec. 15 and dinner for up to four with Coples. Tickets for the networking event are $15.

As with all of the other events in the weekend, tonight’s networking event is being organized and directed by Knightdale-based Millennium Sports Group.

“We are so pleased to be working with Quinton again this year,” said MSG President Kurtis Stewart, a New Bern native. “His goal is to increase the exposure of his hometown with a weekend full of activities for all ages. Quinton is truly dedicated to the City of Kinston.”

Stewart added that all proceeds earned from the networking event and the weekend’s other activities — including Saturday’s Old School/New School and 5-on-5 tourney championship and the after party at Olivia’s — will be used to help finance future Coples Community Weekends.

Old School/New School

The rosters are taking shape for Saturday night’s Old School/New School basketball game, and there’ll be some familiar faces and names on the teams. Coples will play in the game, as will former New Bern High School and Wake Forest star Antwan Scott.

Scott is also known as the “8th Wonder” on the And 1 basketball circuit.

They’ll be joined on the court by WCTI ABC-12 and Fox Eastern Carolina’s Brian North.

“It’s come to the point in my life where playing in these games is more ceremonial,” North said with a laugh in an interview on The Free Press Radio Show. “If I can get up and down the court about five times without having a heart attack, I’ll consider it a success.”

North said he was proud of the job Coples is doing in the Kinston community.

“Quinton’s doing a great job of giving back to his community and trying to expand the weekend,” North said. “Even though Quinton has gone away … he has always come back. I appreciate that and look forward to seeing how the weekend plays out with all the new activities.”

A unique Kinston sports fraternity

Coples is one of five Kinstonians currently playing at the top level of professional athletics. While he is the only player in the NFL, Jerry Stackhouse (Brooklyn Nets) and Reggie Bullock (Los Angeles Clippers) are in the NBA, while Chris Hatcher (Miami Marlins) and Carter Capps (Seattle Mariners) are on Major League Baseball 40-man rosters.

Coples said he was honored to be in this unique fraternity of Kinston athletes.

“All of us prove that dreams can come true,” Coples said. “It’s a blessing to be in this fraternity and we know we have a responsibility to uphold that which was handed down to us by our parents. The little kids in our community need to know they have the same opportunity, as well.”

Coples sent his congratulations to Bullock, who was drafted last month by the Clippers. Bullock and the Clippers open play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas this weekend.

“We’re celebrating Reggie right now and we’re looking for the next guy to join us,” Coples said.

Remembering the titles

Coples was on hand in Chapel Hill in March when the Kinston High School boys and girls basketball teams each won 2A state titles. He said he was extremely proud of both sets of Vikings.

“I was blessed to see those young people, a lot of them who came through the same things I did, win those state championships,” Coples said. “To see both the boys and girls win, I was very proud of them. Winning a state championship in high school is one of the greatest accomplishments in life.”

Bryan C. Hanks can be reached at 252-559-1074 or at Bryan.Hanks@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @BCHanks.

6-9 p.m.: Professional networking event at Community Council for the Arts, 400 N. Queen St. Event includes silent auction for signed Coples’ N.Y. Jets jersey, two tickets to N.Y. Jets/Carolina Panthers game on Dec. 15 and dinner for up to four with Coples. Tickets are $15